Are We Ready?

‘Are We Ready’ asks all Australians to deepen their connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures during NRW 2017 (May 27 – June 3) by reflecting on the ways friendships between Aboriginal and non–Aboriginal people have reshaped individual perspectives and enriched lives.

The campaign features several Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people talking about their friendship, the enrichment their relationship has provided them, and how their friendship has affected their sense of our nations’ identity.

The campaign asks all Australian communities to reflect on:

Our sense of Australian identity— what connects us to this country and its people?

What have we learned or gained from our friendships and why are these friendships valuable?

How have these friendships deepened or been affected by this connection?

Have these friendships caused our understandings or perspectives to change?

What is an everyday act that we can do together to build understanding with the broader community?

The nature of these friendships and the lessons learned reveal powerful insights into what is required to achieve meaningful reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and what all Australians stand to gain.

“At a time when we acknowledge significant anniversaries and milestones on the Reconciliation journey – these moments give us an opportunity to reflect and think about our values and consider our willingness to deepen our relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
The campaign poses the question: are we ready to authentically connect with each other as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people?

Are we ready to truly consider the history of this nation, reconsider our own personal choices and role in creating a more united nation?”